“There appears to be an emerging consensus that decentralising power to major city-regions like Greater Manchester could support UK growth. Past attempts to decentralise show that implementing such reforms is not easy, but both the Osborne and Adonis proposals will minimise opposition by building on existing institutions and supporting local leaders who are already pushing for change.

“The next steps are to ensure and demonstrate that Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet back the plans and offer clear, sufficiently concrete manifesto commitments that the public can buy into and don’t get overshadowed by politicians’ personal agendas. These would give the parties the mandate to see reforms through in 2015, if elected. But given the possibility of coalition or minority government after the next election, it’s also important that we understand the Liberal Democrat position on this agenda.”